BUENOS AIRES, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A 64-year-old man died in Argentina on Saturday after being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the first death from the disease in Latin America, the Argentinean Ministry of Health reported.

The Buenos Aires man had returned from Europe on Feb 25, Argentina's health ministry said in a statement, without specifying which country or countries he had visited.

He became ill on Feb 28 with a fever, cough and sore throat and sought medical care on Mar 4. The patient was hospitalised in intensive care and required machine-assisted breathing, the statement said.

The man had underlying health issues including diabetes, hypertension, chronic bronchitis and kidney problems.

Argentina has reported another eight cases of coronavirus.